An In Vitro Study of the Accuracy and Precision of Breathalyzer® Models 900, 900A, and 1000

Ninety Breathalyzer® instruments (Model 1000) and twenty instruments (Models 900, 900A) were studied using a protocol described by the Department of Transportation's “Standard for Devices to Measure Breath Alcohol.” Although the mean of each of three concentrations tested (0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 g/210 L) compared favorably in both series, the standard deviation was consistently higher for the Model 1000 instruments. The Model 1000 instruments also produced a significant number of test results which exceeded the normally expected scientific deviation.